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What to Do During Pregnancy to Have an Intelligent Baby
Heredity is an important factor that influences the intelligence of your baby. However, the environment of the developing baby is an equally important factor that has a major influence on the baby’s intelligence. The pregnant mother’s diet, fitness, and emotional state can affect the development of the baby’s brain.
There are a number of things that a mom-to-be can do to boost her baby’s IQ and make sure her baby has a smarter brain.
Things to Do During Pregnancy to Have a Smart Baby
Eat Healthy Food: Eating healthy food that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables is crucial for the healthy development of the foetus. The foetal brain also requires Omega-3 fatty acids for development. So, include foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, such as fish, walnuts, beans, leafy greens, hemp seeds, mustard oil, ghee, flax seeds, chia seeds, and seaweed.
Exercise: Staying fit and active during pregnancy helps the baby develop a smarter brain. Exercise releases endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals that make their way to the baby, aiding in brain development. Exercise also causes the body to secrete the hormone, cortisol. Moderate amounts of cortisol promote the growth of the baby’s brain. Exercise increases blood flow to the womb, and this is good for the baby’s healthy development.
Eat Eggs: Eggs are rich in choline, which is an important vitamin of the Vitamin B-complex family. It is said that consuming foods containing choline while pregnant is very good for the developing baby and has long-term beneficial effects on the child’s memory.
Include Iodine in Your Diet: Iodine is an important mineral that is essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. A deficiency of iodine in the first trimester has been found to reduce the baby’s IQ significantly. Babies born to moms with low levels of thyroid hormone were found to be more likely to have low IQ. It is, therefore, important for pregnant women to include iodine in their diet. Iodine is found in yoghurt, milk and iodised salt.
Include Folate in Your Diet: Folic acid, or folate, in its natural form, belongs to the vitamin B-complex family and is essential for the proper development of the brain and spinal cord of the foetus. Some studies have shown that women who started taking folic acid supplements at least 2 weeks before conception and continued to take them until the 8th week of pregnancy had a much lower chance of giving birth to a child with autism and neural tube defects. Folic acid is found in dark green leafy vegetables, lentils, nuts, and avocados.
Get Some Sunshine: Vitamin D is essential for the development of strong bones and heart of the baby. Some unpublished studies have linked a vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women to autism in the baby. So make sure you get enough sunshine, as your body synthesizes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight. If you have a vitamin D deficiency, consult your doctor before taking supplements.
Avoid Alcohol, Drugs, and Nicotine: Substances like alcohol, tobacco, drugs and caffeine can cause serious developmental disorders in the developing baby. They also affect foetal brain development. It is, therefore, very important to avoid exposure to such harmful substances when pregnant.
Talk and Read to Your Baby: The foetus can hear from week 20 onwards. By week 25, the auditory system is completely functional. So, by the 5th month of pregnancy, your baby can hear your voice and may even respond to increased movements. The foetus can distinguish between voices and can recognise the mother’s voice very clearly. So talking, singing or reading to the baby in your womb can help in the baby’s brain development.
Massage Your Belly and Remain Stress-Free: Studies have shown that the baby can feel the sensation of touch in the womb. Gently massaging or rubbing your belly can help stimulate the baby’s brain and make the baby respond to the stimulus with increased activity. Stress can harm the baby’s brain development and, according to some researchers, also cause premature delivery. The longer the baby is in the womb, the more time it has for its brain to develop well. So, it is important for the mother-to-be to avoid stress and remain calm throughout the pregnancy.
Avoid Exposure to Infections and Toxins: Exposure to toxins such as lead, cadmium, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and pesticides can cause serious developmental defects in the foetus. Seafood from contaminated water could contain such toxins. Moms-to-be should avoid eating king mackerel, swordfish, and other large ocean fish. Infections can also cause damage to the developing brain of the foetus. Infections like German measles and toxoplasmosis, which are caused by a microbial parasite found in cat faeces, can cause brain damage in the developing baby. Hence, pregnant women should stay away from sick children who may be contagious, and avoid cat litter boxes.
The choices a mother-to-be makes can determine the health and brain development of her baby. Therefore, it is vital for pregnant women to eat healthily, take prenatal vitamins, avoid harmful substances, and remain stress-free. Following the tips in this article during pregnancy will definitely increase the chances of having an intelligent and healthy baby.
Resources and References: Parents Read more
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yogesh Jadeja
Guardian of a 1 yr 1 m old boy
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Diet Plan for 22 Month 3 Week Old Toddler
Introduction
You’re almost halfway through the 22-month mark! We hope the foods recommended in the meal plan were well received by your little one. Toddlers this age tend to experiment with food based on its colour, texture, and taste, so don’t hesitate to introduce your little one to new foods. Your child will require a lot of calcium and iron during this stage, so feed him milk and iron-rich foods in abundance. Here’s what you can feed your child this week.
Food Menu & Schedule for 22 Month 3 Week Old Toddler
Diet for a 22-month-old – Week 3, Day 1
Breakfast
Poha(flattened rice) with milk
Mid-morning
Plain khakhara mixed with curd
Lunch
Besan(gram flour)-methi(fenugreek) paratha with carrot-palak(spinach) raita
Evening
Banana-strawberry-almond smoothie
Dinner
Vegetable raita + vegetable pulav + moong dal (split yellow gram)soup
Diet for a 22-month-old – Week 3, Day 2
Breakfast
Sooji(semolina)dosa with sambar
Mid-morning
Mashed potato with grated paneer(cottage cheese)
Lunch
Appam with vegetable stew + beetroot raita
Evening
Almond-anjeer(fig) milkshake
Dinner
Veg risotto
Diet for a 22-month-old – Week 3, Day 3
Breakfast
Oats-almond kheer
Mid-morning
2-3 homemade cookies + milk
Lunch
Ragi(finger millet)-wheat roti + sprouts and palak(spinach)+ a few cherry tomatoes
Evening
Paneer(cottage cheese)-khakhara chaat
Dinner
Chicken soup with pulao
Diet for a 22-month-old – Week 3, Day 4
Breakfast
Poha(flattened rice)with tomatoes and capsicum
+ chocolate-almond milkhake
Mid-morning
Masala makhana(puffed lotus seeds) + banana milkshake
Lunch
Roti + dal + a subzi of choice + a few slices of carrots+ hand pounded rice
Evening
Peanut chikki + ½ cup of banana/apple/any locally available fruit
Dinner
Chicken or paneer(cottage cheese) curry with rice
Diet for a 22-month-old – Week 3, Day 5
Breakfast
Banana pancake
Mid-morning
Rajgira(amaranth) chikki dipped in milk
Lunch
Palak paneer +paratha + a few cherry tomatoes
Evening
Fruit milkshake
Dinner
Methi(fenugreek) thepla with potato subzi + curd
Diet for a 22-month-old – Week 3, Day 6
Breakfast
Atte(wheat flour) ka sheera with milk
Mid-morning
Plain khakhara mixed with curd
Lunch
Mini roti + dal + a subzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening
Dahi vada (homemade)
Dinner
Mini roti + dal + a subzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Diet for a 22-month-old – Week 3, Day 7
Breakfast
Steamed rice cake with chana(chickpea) curry
Mid-morning
Cut fruits
Lunch
Bajra(pearl millet) roti + brinjal bharta + dal + vegetable raita
Evening
Aloo tikki with mint chutney
Dinner
Moong(split yellow gram) sprouts-oats cutlet with homemade dates-tomato-mint chutney
Conclusion
Toddlers at 22 months should have a diet that is rich in whole grains, good fats, and protein. Remember that children at this age should drink full-fat cow’s milk – this will help in their optimal growth and development. At this age, you must try to seat your child with the family during mealtimes as this may help him eat better and try the food that is in front of him. To get a meal plan for week 4 for your 22-month-old baby, click here! Read more
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Your Baby This Week : 3 Week
Each child has a unique temperament. Some are peaceful and friendly, while others are more sensitive. The one thing all children have in common is that they communicate with you through crying. At some point in the beginning of the month, you’ll begin to hear a different kind of sound. It is the time when most of the children find their voices. When your child is calm and attentive, you can notice a “ooh” or “aah” sound when he sees you or hears you coming. Sucking is a natural instinct and many babies will continue to have a strong need to suck their thumbs after birth, even after a feeding. Using a pacifier is really up to you. Some folks swear by them, and find them a useful way to calm a fussy baby and lull him to sleep.
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Is Botox Safe for Breastfeeding Mothers?
If you are a breastfeeding mom, it is vital that you make sure that any medication you take is safe for your baby because medicines can enter the breast milk from your bloodstream and may harm your baby. Botox is a substance that is used for both medical and cosmetic reasons. If you are planning to take a botox injection while breastfeeding, you must first find out if Botox is safe for breastfeeding moms or not.
What Is Botox and What Are Its Uses?
Botox is a neurotoxin derived from the bacteria, Clostridium Botulinum. Botox is an abbreviation for Botulinum toxins, which is the source of this prescribed medication. Botox is known to cause paralysis when administered in large doses. If given in small quantities, Botox causes paralysis only in the small area of the body where it is injected.
Some of the primary benefits of getting a Botox injection are as follows:
Botox can treat wrinkles.
It is effective against excessive sweating.
It helps fight a migraine and nausea.
It fights unwanted twitches, squints, and Bell’s Palsy by relaxing the muscles and preventing them from acting on misfiring neurons involuntarily.
How Does Botox Work?
Every muscle tissue in the body is connected to the brain through a network of neurons. Botox, when administered properly into the muscle tissue, forms a shield between the muscle tissue and the neurons. This cuts off all the signals from the neurons to the muscle tissues, making them relaxed. Due to the cut-off of signals from the neurons in a localised region in the body where it is administered, it is extremely useful in removing wrinkles due to sun damage and gravity.
Should You Get Botox while Breastfeeding?
Although research on Botox and breastfeeding studies has shown that there is no visible effect or medical implications of getting a Botox injection while breastfeeding, a few things should be taken into account before you opt for it:
Research has shown that botulin toxins enter the bloodstream in small quantities, even if administered to muscle tissue.
Most of the medications taken by the mother are present in the breast milk while the mother is nursing her baby.
Since there are potential medical risks that the baby may be exposed to through the breast milk, most mothers do not take the risk of undergoing Botox injections when they are nursing.
When it is necessary to undergo Botox for medical reasons rather than cosmetic reasons, it is advised that the mother should stop nursing the child.
The potential risks of breastfeeding after a Botox injection outweigh the benefits of the injection. It is necessary to understand the risks and side effects of using Botox during breastfeeding in detail so that you can decide for yourself.
What Are the Side Effects and Risks of Receiving Botox during Breastfeeding?
Some of the significant side effects of Botox injections during breastfeeding are as follows:
Botox causes Botulism, which can be a dangerous medical condition for people with low immunity, like new-born babies, pregnant women, and older adults.
Another side effect is the drying of mouth for a period after the Botox injection.
A study to correlate the effects of Botox on breastfeeding on rodents revealed that it has an extremely adverse impact on the offspring’s weight and bone development.
Extreme usage of Botox can give rise to urological and pain-related disorders, such as an overactive bladder.
Botox is also the cause of multiple neuromuscular disorders, like cervical dystonia.
Administering Botox can also cause eye and vision-related problems.
There have also been reports of temporary discomfort at the site of the Botox injection.
Can Pumping and Dumping Reduce the Impact of Botox in Nursing Mothers?
Pumping and dumping is a method used by nursing mothers to remove harmful substances from breast milk. Pumping and dumping involves extracting milk and throwing it away instead of feeding it. This does not necessarily remove the substance, but it helps metabolise the substance from the blood and in the milk. There is no concrete information on how much time botox takes to metabolise out of the blood. Hence, 'pump and dump' may not be an extremely effective solution against breastfeeding after a Botox injection.
Guidelines for Preventing the Serious Effects of Botulinum Toxin's
Some basic guidelines for preventing the severe effects of botulinum on the baby and the nursing mother are as follows:
Try avoiding botox injections if you want to take it only for cosmetic reasons. If you need Botox for medical conditions, avoid nursing and breastfeeding your child after a botox treatment.
Seek help from a medical professional as there is not enough scientific evidence on the effects of Botox on breastfeeding women.
Safe Alternatives to Botox for Breastfeeding Moms
There are some safer alternatives to botox for breastfeeding mothers that can be considered.
1. Medical Botox Alternatives
Over-the-counter pain medications like Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen.
2. Cosmetic Botox Alternatives
You can try facial acupuncture. A professional massage is also an excellent Botox alternative that can induce muscle relaxation. Along with this you should also stay hydrated and follow a healthy diet.
Although there are no direct medical implications to using Botox and fillers while breastfeeding, the potential risks of doing so outweigh the benefits of using Botox. For your safety and good health of your baby, it is best that you stay away from Botox injection while breastfeeding.
Also Read: Taking Cold Medicine during Breastfeeding Read more
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How to Deal with Baby Blues
Having a newborn can be exciting and nerve-wrecking at the same time. A baby brings a lot of happiness in your life while also making it seem like all the norms have broken loose. Your daily routine goes for a toss, while day and night merge together to transform you into a sleepwalking zombie. Your body has just produced a living being and has not returned to its normal state. Therefore, it is perfectly normal to go through baby blues amidst all this.
What are Postpartum Blues?
Approximately 70-80% of new mothers experience baby blues syndrome after delivery. This is a short period of unhappiness, anxiety and irritability. A mother might experience the blues 4-5 days after the delivery or earlier depending on the experience of delivery. Baby blues after pregnancy is quite a different story as opposed to the common perception of a glowing, happy new mom.
Do all Mothers Experience Baby Blues?
Not all new mothers experience baby blues, but 70-80% do. A family history of depression or domestic conflicts can increase your chances of having the blues. The time after delivery can be stressful due to the many changes that come about. The system of support available during the period immediately after pregnancy can greatly help a mother in dealing with the blues.
What Causes Baby Blues?
The blues can be due to a variety of reasons such as physical changes, hormonal changes and emotional factors. The level of hormones, oestrogen and progesterone is the highest in a woman's body during pregnancy. The huge plummet in hormones after delivery can also trigger baby blues. Emotional factors such as wanting to be a perfect mother or thoughts of not doing it right can also affect you. Other factors such as trauma during delivery, difficulty in breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, family history of depression can all cause baby blues.
Signs and Symptoms of Baby Blues
These are some of the baby blues after birth symptoms:
Feeling emotional, weepy and vulnerable for no apparent reason: You might cry at the drop of a hat, so it's a good idea to keep the tissues nearby. Talk to your partner or someone else about your thoughts. Discussing with others will help you realise that most things are not as earth-shattering as they seem to you.
Impatience, irritability, restlessness, anxiety: These symptoms just complement each other! So if you find yourself being unreasonably snappy or irritated at your partner and other children, you know you got the blues. The best way to deal with this is to relax and stop thinking about the gazillion things that need to be done. Concentrate on yourself and the baby. All the other things can wait.
Fatigue, insomnia, poor concentration: Well, blame the sleep fewer nights for these symptoms. Try going to sleep when the baby does; this will give you some hours of sleep.
How Long does Baby Blues Last?
Baby blues strike almost immediately after the delivery and tend to last for a couple of weeks. Baby blues are the least extreme form of postpartum depression, which lasts longer and require medical attention.
Baby Blues and Postnatal Depression
After the rollercoaster ride of pregnancy and delivery, it is quite natural for moms to have the baby blues. If the blues get worse or do not go away after a few weeks, it could be postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression symptoms are similar to that of baby blues but worse. It includes withdrawal from a partner, difficulty in bonding with the baby, anxiety that prevents sleep, feelings of guilt and suicidal thoughts. Several factors such as hormonal changes, physical changes, change in bodily metabolism and stress can lead to depression. Seek counselling help to deal with depression.
Postpartum psychosis is a serious disorder characterised by loss of touch with reality. Suicide and infanticide are the risks associated with the disorder, and hence hospitalisation is essential to keep the mother and baby safe. The symptoms include hallucinations, delusion, extreme anxiety, suicidal thoughts or actions, extreme confusion or disorientation, rapid mood swings, bizarre behaviour and thoughts of harming the baby.
How to Treat Baby Blues?
Here are some tips on how to deal with baby blues:
Have some me time: The hectic routine after a baby can be unsettling. Therefore make sure to pay attention to yourself, other chores around the house can wait or try to get someone else to help with those. Sleep when the baby naps and try to relax in general.
Talk: Sharing what your feelings with someone close to you is important, that help in coping with baby blues. If you feel low, don't feel guilty about it. When people know that you are feeling low, they will be more supportive and helpful.
Eat well: Include healthy foods in your diet and don't forget to eat during all the hustle and bustle that ensues after childbirth. You might also want to get back in shape after the pregnancy, which is fine, but do not try to control your hunger pangs in the initial months. Eat nutritious food that satisfies the bodily needs.
Go for a walk: Going outdoors can do you a lot of good. After pregnancy, the thought of dressing up and going for a walk with the baby might seem daunting. But the fresh air and change of scene can provide a new perspective and some positive vibes.
Get help: Get others to help you around the house and with the baby. Don't shy from asking for help; you deserve all the help you can get. This will help you relax and get some sleep.
Don't beat yourself up: You might have imagined yourself being a happy and lively mother to your baby. But your body might not be ready for it, so relax and tell yourself that you are doing the best you can.
When should you Worry?
It is quite natural to have baby blues post-delivery, and there is nothing to worry about it. But if your symptoms last for more than a couple of weeks, you might be suffering from postpartum depression. Also, if you develop suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming the baby, seek medical help immediately.
Also Read: Depression after Pregnancy Read more
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How coparenting and technology helped us in handling our premature twins
My twins were born at 34 weeks and were in NICU for some days. When we brought them home , they were so tiny and delicate and within one week of bringing them home , India wide lockdown started.
We didn't know how we were going to handle them , although we had been waiting for the twins to come so badly, that we knew we will manage. Luckily we had my in laws with us before the lockdown. So more number of hands to manage the situation made it easy .
We had a nanny for a month to help us , but post that we were too scared to hire anyone because of corona. My babies are 8 months old and we still haven't hired anyone. We started dividing responsibilities with the babies and home . With my body recovering from the delivery stress , my husband helped me with every single household work and took care of the babies during the day & night along with his office work. What is most important during any difficult situation in life is the support system and I am so lucky to have a wonderful one. My mother in law who is a senior citizen , took the whole responsibility of kitchen along with helping me with the kids.
For other household work , we started thinking about ways to reduce the load. There was some work like utensil washing , house cleaning we knew could be made easier. We already had a fully automatic washer dryer machine which made it so easy to wash and dry pile of kids clothes.
We researched and bought dishwasher for utensils and it was a worthy investment. That left us the cleaning effort of brooming and mopping. We initially ordered a better mop - spin mop and it did make things a little easy but wasnt the solution we were looking for. After sometime , we came across automatic mop and vacuum solution and decided to spend some money on it. Again, it turned out to be a good purchase and Woohoo , regular household jobs were no longer painful.
Even without any external help , we have been able to manage everything so well with the twins. Thanks to coparenting and technology Read more
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
9 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts is it okay that the baby is kicking less than usual?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
8 hours ago
A. Yes it is the what part is that your child is kicking if you feel that there is a movement of your child whether it is a cake or slight movement also you know that your child is doing fine so there is no problem in that if the movement is less it’s completely alright
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts what to do if the baby’s nose is blovked
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. Nasal blockage is very common, specially in small children because of the narrow nasal cavity. Any kind of saline drops like nasal clear will be helpful in dissolving the stuffy secretions, which can be taken out by vnasal aspirator gently also steam inhalation will be helpful also, try to avoid keeping the child directly under the fan.
Ankita Mehta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
5 hours ago
Q. 22 week pregnant,baby konse month me or din me kitni baar move kartaa he ,pls bataye abhi sirf 2, 3 baar hi hota he
Ankita Mehta
Mom of a 8 yr 7 m old girl
3 hours ago
A. hi
yes it's enough
and the frequency and timing may vary as we all are different
but yes, the frequency of feeling baby movements will increase now
please go for regular check-up to your gynecologist
and follow his or her suggestions
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
5 hours ago
Q. hi
need help and advice
my RT 18x16mm and LT 10x16mm ET 6.59
and did ovulation rest also showing fertility test C as if now , pls advice if we intercourse tomorrow then when will be my ovulation start.
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. You can check with an ovulation kit if it is positive then you can certainly go ahead with the conception because ovulation kit is going to give you 100% clarity whether you are ovulating or not with that you can try practising if you can conceive the same time
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
49 mins ago
Q. Bread feeding mother can have green tea
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
24 mins ago
A. absolutely no problem to have green tea ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
15 mins ago
Q. In my growth scan doctor found that 2 round cord has been partly around baby necks. Is there any problem with this. will I get normal delivery?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
12 mins ago
A. A lot of times normal delivery is actually seen in these cases also if the doctor is quick and the child cooperate then yes normal delivery is very much possible but some doctors don’t take a chance with the health of your child and so they normally suggest C-section so let’s see what’s your situation by the end when you are into your labour
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